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Thanks to the wonderful invitation, I recently went to Cooking House Bangsar for a Nutrition Workshop by Fonterra Brands Malaysia, the world’s leading dairy nutrition company from New Zealand, to learn few tips on how to incorporate milk and dairy into our diets especially for Muslims during this holy month of Ramadan.

Fonterra Consultant Dietician Puan Nurul Aziah said the fasting month is a good time for people to refocus their attention on nutrition, and be more aware of the foods they are putting in their bodies to support long-term health and wellness.

“Meal planning is exceptionally important for those going on the fast. To sustain energy levels and stay hydrated throughout the day, you need to get a balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods and fluids,” Puan Nurul Aziah said.

“The pre-dawn meal, sahoor, provides fluids and energy for the day of fasting ahead, so making healthy choices can help you to cope better with the fast,” shared Puan Nurul Aziah, as she demostrated a recipe for Kurma Overnight Oats which featured oats soaked overnight in Anlene Concentrate and Anlene Low Fat Yoghurt, chia seeds and chopped dates.

“This is a nutritious way to start the day, and the oats will help to keep the hunger pangs away while the milk, yoghurt, nuts and dates provide nutrients and fluids for the day. The recipe is also great for those who are watching their blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure, as the new Anlene Heart-Plus™ formulation is fortified with Omega 3 (DHA + EPA), Potassium and plant sterol to help combat the 3-Highs,” she added.

For breaking fast, she shared a local favorite Rendang Tok using Anchor Cooking Cream instead of coconut milk, for a healthier option. “While iftar meals are often a time for celebration with families and friends, it is important not to go overboard eating. Ramadan can be a good time to make changes to improve your diet and form healthier eating habits that you can sustain in the long term,” she shared.

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Puan Manisya Ismail, Cooperative Affairs Manager and Chairman of the Halal Committee at Fonterra Brands Malaysia also shared recipes for sahoor and iftar at a culinary demonstration using the range of dairy from Fonterra.

“The best time to build bone density is during years of rapid growth – so childhood and adolescence are important times to make sure your children are getting the right levels of calcium to build healthy bones. Dairy’s a good way to also provide them with important nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A and D. And there are so many options – I find that cultured milk drinks, yoghurt and cheese are forms of dairy that children really enjoy,” she explained as she demonstrated the preparation of the Mango Tango Smoothie.

Fonterra’s Fernleaf CalciYum Cultured Milk Drink and Yoghurt help maintain a healthy gut which is important for nutrient absorption. It is made using natural colouring and flavours, perfect for growing children. This is a great and light way to start the Iftar meal for children, while adults enjoy dates and milk.

Puan Manisya also demonstrated Chicken and Potatoes Mini Pizzas incorporating the goodness of dairy with Anchor butter and cheese, and Fernleaf Full Cream Milk Powder. “This recipe is a great sharing appetiser for Iftar and is also a great snack before bedtime after Terawikh prayers.

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All Fonterra Brands Malaysia products are certified Halal by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). The commitment to the highest Halal standards starts from New Zealand with stringent processes all throughout the supply chain to make sure all products meet the strictest Halal standards.

“Halal is in our DNA, and it is more to us than just meeting the requirements. We go beyond Halal to Halalan Thoyibaan, where it is all about doing the right thing and fulfilling our duty to provide nutritious, delicious products that comply with Shari’ah requirements,” she said.

Fonterra Brands Malaysia has two manufacturing plants in Malaysia and produces brands that Malaysians love such as Anlene, Anmum (Lacta, Materna and Essential), Fernleaf, Fernleaf CalciYum and Anchor.

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More photos at FOOD Malaysia facebook page, a Malaysian food & lifestyle blogger since 2010

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